To access a complete list of the Library's subscription databases:
Go to the BRRHS home page. http://www.brrsd.k12.nj.us/HighSchool.cfm
On Left sidebar - Select HS Library
You will be directed to the BRRHS Library Webpage (http://www.brrsd.net/curric/HS/library/index.html) . Click on the link for Subscription Databases. Scroll to the databases grouped under the categories of Literature or Biography. Click on the link to the database that you want to search.
You will have access to all databases w/o a login when you use computers on-campus; if you access databases remotely (off-campus) you will need to enter a User ID & Password.
Following is a research guide that will assist you in finding resources for your assignment:
Books To find books in the library you need to use the Spectrum Online Catalog. Click on the icon on your PC desktop for Spectrum Patron's Catalog. Spectrum automatically opens to the Easy Search Screen. If you type a keyword in the search box, a complete listing of books related to your search term will appear on the screen. You can also search by Author or Book Title by clicking the appropriate button below the search box.You can combine terms in the Expanded Search Screen using AND, OR and AND NOT connectors: these are called Boolean Operators. You can obtain instructions on how to use these terms to refine your search by going to this site: Boolean Operators
When searching for people, remember to use their last name as the subject. Clicking on the tabs at the top of the results screen will sort the list of books by call number, title, author or date. Sorting by call number will show you areas of the library where most of the books will be found.
To print selected titles from the list, hold down the Control key and use the mouse to highlight the book titles that you want to print. Clicking on the Print tab will open the print option window. Type in your name and choose the Highlighted button to print the selected titles. The list of books will be printed in MLA format. Reference Books: These books will have a call number starting with REF and can be found in the lower shelves in the Library.
Just about every topic has a Specialized Encyclopedia. These encyclopedias are usually quite extensive in their coverage and may be used for your research paper. They are not the same as General Encyclopedias, such as World Book Encyclopedia, which may be good for background information, but often will not be accepted by teachers as a cited source for a formal research paper.
Public Library
If the BRHS Library does not have resources that cover your topic, you may have to seek information at the Public Library. You can get remote access to the Somerset County Library’s On-line Catalog. Check the “Webpac” catalog to see what they own on your topic. You can have the Library reserve materials by typing in the Barcode number from your Somerset County Library Card.
Suggested Books:
You will find additioanl author biographical information on the Reference Shelves (low shelves) in the Literature Section (REF 809-810) and Biography Section (REF 920). For example:
Novels for Students (REF 809.3) Search for your author's name in the Cumulative Index of the most recent volume (highest number volume available) to locate the volumes that contain information on your author. Authors and Artists for Young Adults (REF 809.89282) American Writers (REF 810.9) Encyclopedia of World Biography (REF 920) Biography Today (REF 920)
Suggested Databases:
These databases can be also be accessed from the Library Website.
Bloom's Literary Reference This database contains information from numerous critical compendiums and literary encyclopedias (click on the "Source" tab to view a list of books included in this online database).
You can search this database by typing a keyword into the search box, or by using the links to the following categories: Authors: Click on "Author" link and browse an alphabetical list by last name. Works: You can search by title of a work for critical analysis and background information. Citation information is found at the end of each article.
Literature Resource Center This database provides comprehensive, worldwide coverage of literary topics, including biographies, literary movements, criticism, and primary sources (transcripts, interviews, essays about/by the author).
Search for your author by using the Person Search tab for the most precise results (type in the Author's name). You can also search using the Basic Search interface, using the Keyword or Person - By or About buttons (below Basic Search text box): however your results will not be as precise. Results are displayed under category tabs (e.g., biographies, summaries, criticism).
Try using the Advanced Search option to combine search terms or to specify how your search term is defined (i.e., drop-down lists that enable you to specify a search for keyword, author, person about): combining terms in this way is called Boolean Searching. Citation information is found at the end of each article.
LitFinder This database provides coverage of world authors, including biographies, analysis of selected works, and full-text of selected works (poems, short stories, essays by the author). You will find more information on "classical" literature as opposed to contemporary authors. Search in a similar manner as described in the Literature Resource Center (above). Citation information can be found at the end of each article.
Literary Reference Center This database provides a comprehensive collection of primary and secondary resources on world authors from antiquity to the present. Type a keyword (author name) into the Search Box and results will be displayed under category tabs (e.g., biographies, summaries, criticism). The Advanced Search option enables you to limit your search to retrieve articles limited to specific categories. Citation information can be displayed by clicking a link at the end of each article. Twayne Authors This database focuses on the biographies of authors, how they fit into the periods to which they belong, and their influence on other authors and literary movements. Information is organized under an author's name, in a "book" format. To locate information, click on the "Authors A-Z" tab and browse for your author's last name or select the In Depth link and search by typing an author's name (be sure you have the correct spelling). You will find a Table of Contents where information is presented in "Chapters." Additional information is provided in the Left Sidebar: Preface, Chronology, Author's Works; you will also find Citation information here (to return to the Table of Contents click on this tab in the Sidebar).
Scribner Writer Series This database provides extensive critical essays on specific authors and their works. You can browse by the author's last name or do an "In-Depth Search" on the author's name. While it's search interface is similar to Twayne Authors database, the sources (books) are different and will add to information obtained in Twayne. Citation information is displayed at the end of each article.
A-Z Writers in Classical Literature A listing of world author information provided by about.com, a New York Times company. Evalute each link for reliability.
Website Evaluation Guide
Internet Resources: Although a valuable resource, you must be careful to evaluate the source of information. Some questions to ask yourself are:
· is the website authoritative (is the author an expert on the subject; usually sites with the .edu, .org or .gov are most reliable)? Look for an "About" link that provides information about the site, author, or sponsoring organization.
· is the website accurate? Cross-check information against other reliable sources.
· is the website up to date? Look for a "Last Updated" notation, usually found at the bottom of the page.
· is the website biased or prejudiced toward a point of view? (It may still be useful, but use the information cautiously.)
Website Evaluation Tools
Print out the document for your reference.
Ask the Librarians or your Teacher for guidance with any concerns you may have.
Works Cited
MLA Citation Examples:This link will bring you to the BRRHS Library page, with examples of MLA citation formats.
Author Study
To access a complete list of the Library's subscription databases:
Go to the BRRHS home page. http://www.brrsd.k12.nj.us/HighSchool.cfm
On Left sidebar - Select HS Library
You will be directed to the BRRHS Library Webpage ( http://www.brrsd.net/curric/HS/library/index.html) . Click on the link for Subscription Databases. Scroll to the databases grouped under the categories of Literature or Biography. Click on the link to the database that you want to search.
You will have access to all databases w/o a login when you use computers on-campus; if you access databases remotely (off-campus) you will need to enter a User ID & Password.
Following is a research guide that will assist you in finding resources for your assignment:
Books
To find books in the library you need to use the Spectrum Online Catalog. Click on the icon on your PC desktop for Spectrum Patron's Catalog.
Spectrum automatically opens to the Easy Search Screen. If you type a keyword in the search box, a complete listing of books related to your search term will appear on the screen. You can also search by Author or Book Title by clicking the appropriate button below the search box.You can combine terms in the Expanded Search Screen using AND, OR and AND NOT connectors: these are called Boolean Operators. You can obtain instructions on how to use these terms to refine your search by going to this site: Boolean Operators
When searching for people, remember to use their last name as the subject.
Clicking on the tabs at the top of the results screen will sort the list of books by call number, title, author or date. Sorting by call number will show you areas of the library where most of the books will be found.
To print selected titles from the list, hold down the Control key and use the mouse to highlight the book titles that you want to print. Clicking on the Print tab will open the print option window. Type in your name and choose the Highlighted button to print the selected titles. The list of books will be printed in MLA format.
Reference Books: These books will have a call number starting with REF and can be found in the lower shelves in the Library.
Just about every topic has a Specialized Encyclopedia. These encyclopedias are usually quite extensive in their coverage and may be used for your research paper. They are not the same as General Encyclopedias, such as World Book Encyclopedia, which may be good for background information, but often will not be accepted by teachers as a cited source for a formal research paper.
Public Library
If the BRHS Library does not have resources that cover your topic, you may have to seek information at the Public Library. You can get remote access to the Somerset County Library’s On-line Catalog. Check the “Webpac” catalog to see what they own on your topic. You can have the Library reserve materials by typing in the Barcode number from your Somerset County Library Card.
Suggested Books:
You will find additioanl author biographical information on the Reference Shelves (low shelves) in the Literature Section (REF 809-810) and Biography Section (REF 920). For example:Novels for Students (REF 809.3) Search for your author's name in the Cumulative Index of the most recent volume (highest number volume available) to locate the volumes that contain information on your author.
Authors and Artists for Young Adults (REF 809.89282)
American Writers (REF 810.9)
Encyclopedia of World Biography (REF 920)
Biography Today (REF 920)
Suggested Databases:
These databases can be also be accessed from the Library Website.Bloom's Literary Reference This database contains information from numerous critical compendiums and literary encyclopedias (click on the "Source" tab to view a list of books included in this online database).
You can search this database by typing a keyword into the search box, or by using the links to the following categories:
Authors: Click on "Author" link and browse an alphabetical list by last name.
Works: You can search by title of a work for critical analysis and background information.
Citation information is found at the end of each article.
Literature Resource Center This database provides comprehensive, worldwide coverage of literary topics, including biographies, literary movements, criticism, and primary sources (transcripts, interviews, essays about/by the author).
Search for your author by using the Person Search tab for the most precise results (type in the Author's name). You can also search using the Basic Search interface, using the Keyword or Person - By or About buttons (below Basic Search text box): however your results will not be as precise. Results are displayed under category tabs (e.g., biographies, summaries, criticism).
Try using the Advanced Search option to combine search terms or to specify how your search term is defined (i.e., drop-down lists that enable you to specify a search for keyword, author, person about): combining terms in this way is called Boolean Searching.
Citation information is found at the end of each article.
LitFinder This database provides coverage of world authors, including biographies, analysis of selected works, and full-text of selected works (poems, short stories, essays by the author). You will find more information on "classical" literature as opposed to contemporary authors. Search in a similar manner as described in the Literature Resource Center (above).
Citation information can be found at the end of each article.
Literary Reference Center This database provides a comprehensive collection of primary and secondary resources on world authors from antiquity to the present. Type a keyword (author name) into the Search Box and results will be displayed under category tabs (e.g., biographies, summaries, criticism). The Advanced Search option enables you to limit your search to retrieve articles limited to specific categories.
Citation information can be displayed by clicking a link at the end of each article.
Twayne Authors This database focuses on the biographies of authors, how they fit into the periods to which they belong, and their influence on other authors and literary movements. Information is organized under an author's name, in a "book" format. To locate information, click on the "Authors A-Z" tab and browse for your author's last name or select the In Depth link and search by typing an author's name (be sure you have the correct spelling). You will find a Table of Contents where information is presented in "Chapters." Additional information is provided in the Left Sidebar: Preface, Chronology, Author's Works; you will also find Citation information here (to return to the Table of Contents click on this tab in the Sidebar).
Scribner Writer Series This database provides extensive critical essays on specific authors and their works. You can browse by the author's last name or do an "In-Depth Search" on the author's name. While it's search interface is similar to Twayne Authors database, the sources (books) are different and will add to information obtained in Twayne.
Citation information is displayed at the end of each article.
Also view the Biography databases on the Library Subscription Database page.**
Web Sites
A-Z Writers in Classical Literature A listing of world author information provided by about.com, a New York Times company. Evalute each link for reliability.Website Evaluation Guide
Internet Resources: Although a valuable resource, you must be careful to evaluate the source of information. Some questions to ask yourself are:· is the website authoritative (is the author an expert on the subject; usually sites with the .edu, .org or .gov are most reliable)? Look for an "About" link that provides information about the site, author, or sponsoring organization.
· is the website accurate? Cross-check information against other reliable sources.
· is the website up to date? Look for a "Last Updated" notation, usually found at the bottom of the page.
· is the website biased or prejudiced toward a point of view? (It may still be useful, but use the information cautiously.)
Website Evaluation Tools
Print out the document for your reference.
Ask the Librarians or your Teacher for guidance with any concerns you may have.
Works Cited
MLA Citation Examples: This link will bring you to the BRRHS Library page, with examples of MLA citation formats.